Here is the final chapter people..

Enjoy

"Rumbella," Ella called for the third time walking into the maze of the gardens to reach her older sister in the grove of where the peaches were growing. She knew her sister would be there due to she liked to read under one of the trees in silence.

As she turned around the high bush she bumped into a body. Falling down on her behind in the dirt. She glanced up from the black boots to the buckskin clothes looking into a surprise Rumbella who just exited out of the portal.

"Rumbella, why you dressed like that?" Ella asked getting off the ground, "Momma won't like it you are not ready."

Rumbella with a surprise expression which was quickly covered quickly. Gazing at the young girl who was looking at her with impatience of an answer. Trying to think of what to say to her.

"Um..I was just getting ready to come in," she stuttered out quickly.

The blue eyes of the girl in the white dress moved to her left and saw two people standing behind her sister. Her expression changed from curiosity to confusion.

"Who are they?" She asked pointing to the two men behind her. Knowing something was not right. Papa did not allow strangers in the garden unless it was family. Even Rumbella knew that was a rule.

Rumbella glanced back to see Merlin and Lumeire standing there. Biting her bottom lip to make a quick decision. She took a quick glance at her sister she assumed by what she said. Bending down to her level. Saying softly, "These are my friends Merlin and Lumeire."

"Oh," she voiced with confusion on her face still.

Then a voice sounded out in the air.

"Ella, Where are you?"

Hearing the sound of her older sister calling her name around the other side of the maze of the high shrub. She stepped back away from the three people. Now she was confused. She hears Rumbella calling her and yet she is standing in front of her but no voice came out of her mouth. Not sure of what to do. She called the only other people who could help her. Using her telepathy. She cried terrified, "Papa, Mama!"

Merlin stepped up and froze the little girl in her track of movement.

"This is not good," he expressed turning to Rumbella, "I was hoping we could do this privately of the time merge."

"Maybe we can change her memories of this Merlin," Lumeire stated as he walked up beside him.

"Hmm," Merlin voiced while tugging on his beard in his thoughts. Changing memories of a gatekeeper was risky especially when they develop their powers at an older age. No one likes to mess with their memories. Beside he heard the young ones telepathy. Won't be long till Rumpelstiltskin arrives. He didn't want to deal with him just yet.

Rumbella who was reading the Dark Shadows book under the tree to gain knowledge of her next lesson when practicing with her father in her skills. The silence in the garden was interrupted hearing Ella calling her name. Glancing into the sky to judge the time of day. Damn. I am late getting dress. Momma gonna kill me. Closing the book and rushing onto her feet. She followed the sound of her sister calling her.

She shouted, "Ella, Where are you?" Not getting a response she entered the maze.

As she rounded the opposite direction of the bush in the maze. She saw her sister frozen in place. She stopped in her steps as she heard the voices that could not see her. No one is going to touch her sister. Not if she had anything to do with it. Opening her magic at full force with a quickness. Lifting her hands she guided the bluish-light magic exiting her fingertips to rope her sister and pulled her little sister to her. As she came into her arms. Then she poofed them over to the clearing of the peach tree for better room to fight.

"What the..," Lumiere said startled as the little girl was gone from their sight instantly.

Merlin started chuckling of being outsmarted. Not people could do that and he didn't even know she was there. Rumpelstiltskin has been training her quite well. Her speed is amazing.

"What just happened?" Rumbella still confused of all the situation in the last few moments.

"That my dear," he pointed out the spot of the missing girl then gazing at her, "Was you saving your sister from us."

"I'm not that fast," she commented not believing him from her expression.

"Trust me my dear," he chuckled, "that was you!"

With a sigh he turned the corner of the high bush. In the distance he saw the other Rumbella standing by the tree with her sister behind her looking at him.

As he walked into the clearing behind him Rumbella saw two other figures. Yet the last one she could not see due to standing behind the blue robed man.

"Who are you?" she voiced loudly with anger with her hand raised up with a fire-ball in her right hand.

The two men just stood silently there waiting with one of them an owl was on his shoulder.

Archimedes voiced out loud with a huff, "What are we waiting for?"

Merlin glanced up at his old friend on his shoulder saying, "Why the others of course."

The sound of total chaos of people emerged onto the scene.

A blue portal opened to their to right of them. Emerging was Isa, Henry and Neal as they landed next to the right of Rumbella and her sister. Quickly Isa seeing her friend looking at the strangers. Gathered a fire-ball in her hand to stand next to her. Henry helped Neal up from the ground. Both of them pulled out their swords as well.

Moments later came in Belle with Charity and Hope to the left of Rumbella. Charity had guided them to the scene with her portal at the insist of her mother. Immediately Belle went behind Rumbella to check on Ella who was crying as she came unfrozen by Merlin. Charity and Hope flew up beside their sister with their magic coming out of their fingertips ready to battle.

"I wonder when you was going to show up dearies," Rumpelstiltskin angrily said from behind Merlin, Lumeire and Rumbella.

When he heard his daughter, Ella cry of help then feeling the magic of his daughter Rumbella on the grounds of the estate. He knew danger had arrived. As he emerged from behind of the intruders seeing the pointy blue hat from the blue robe man with that dang obnoxious owl. He knew who it was.

Yes it's been 17 years since that faithful day his daughter left with them even if she was not born during that time. The anger had not went away of the deception. It was like another child taken away from him in a short period of time once again after losing Bae to that witch. He did check into the information of what Merlin told him that day. Although it didn't help cool his temper due to he had to console Belle as well of the loss.

Rumbella turned around at the sound of his voice. She didn't see the father she left hours ago. What she saw was a leader. His face was stern with cold eyes on them or rather the ones behind her. Taking a step towards him. She whispered, "Papa.."

Rumpelstiltskin pointed a finger at her of silence. She bent her head down in shame of what she had done to make him like this towards her.

Merlin hearing the girl's response as he turned his back on the others facing Rumpelstiltskin who was standing there looking stern. Seeing the girl's shame didn't sit well for him. He was hoping the time merge would be completed before seeing the man in front of him. Well didn't expect the quick response of the family. Glancing back over his shoulder seeing all the future gatekeepers in front of him. Not bad for a group. All young but ready to do battle from the expression on their faces well except for one. Seeing truest believer is now a man, who had lowered his sword once he recognized the gatekeeper but he didn't put it away. Smart boy. Never lower your guard.

With a sigh he turned back to face the anger of the man in front of him.

"Would it help to tell you if that she stayed with you than that she would have died if she merged when she was born," Merlin stating a fact for the first time to the man of the information that was not in the book. The time merge was a guarded secret only in the family.

"What," Rumbella turned with a shock look on her face facing Merlin.

"Explain!" Rumpelstiltskin demanded from behind her with an angry hiss.

"Time merge is the oldest kept secret among the time travelers," he explained, "The child with the ability has to be guided after their first time travel to merge with themselves at the age they do the travel. Once completed they can go to any time period with no effects to themselves in the future. The first time is the most crucial. Your daughter could not stay with you once she was born. The merge is a strong pull that will happen in the same time period. Merging a 16 year old abilities to a mind of a baby is not ideal."

"That's why you brought me here," Rumbella interrupted, "To merge for the first time so that I would exist.

"Yes my dear," Merlin confirming her answer, "After this any time travel you do all the knowledge you obtain will pass into you each time of the merge. Sort of like seeing the future yet you can change it at will of your travels to ensure peace of the realms."

Rumbella never expected this information. Trying to process it was inconceivable . Yet she understood well maybe a little. Chewing on her bottom lip then glancing at her father of his reaction to the answer. She could see his shoulders that was once tense started to lessen at the information was processed to him. Walking towards him now that he was processing the danger for the first time. Stopping in front of him looking directly into the same eyes as her own.

Her eyes pleading to him to give his attention to her.

"How long ago was it when you left us?" Rumpelstiltskin whispered softly only she could hear.

A smile came onto her lips of his question. Answering him, "An hour ago."

Rumpelstiltskin anger melted at the words from her lips. He could not stay angry at her for long. She was still his child regardless if her other self was not only a few feet away. This is the child he never got to see born who did unbelievable feats to come back to change the past to save him and everyone so that the future in this time could exist.

Without further delay he raised his arms to her.

Rumbella needed no encouragement. She jumped into his arms with her arms around his neck holding him tight. Putting her face in his neck smiling of the arms once again surrounding her. She can still smell the old spice and leather on him. It still felt good to be held by him once again.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he held his daughter once again. Looking over her shoulder he saw Belle handing Ella to Henry to hold after everyone saw the young girl in Rumpelstiltskin's arms.

Seeing Belle come running towards them around Merlin then stopping to look at him to acknowledge who it was. His eyes were soft with a small smile and nod told her everything. Letting go of Rumbella to show her Belle standing there waiting her turn.

With a cry Belle grabbed her daughter holding onto her tight to her chest. "Don't you dare leave us again," she warned the girl in her ear. A mumbled response, "I won't."

"Okay enough of the mushy stuff," Archimedes voiced out loud, "Let's get the party started please of the merge so that I can go eat."

Rumpelstiltskin frowned at the bird as well as Lumeire and Merlin did the same hearing him.

"Hush Archimedes," Merlin warned him.

"You sure you don't want me to kill him for you Merlin," Rumpelstiltskin declared glaring at the bird. His fingers twitching in front of him to get at the bird. He had not forgotten or forgiven that bird was a pain in his ass long ago while in Storybrooke getting into his business. Even thou he does not do any deals like he did in the past but still he never liked anyone interfering. This bird was the cause of he him losing two deals since he last seen him.

"Still mad at me Rumpelstiltskin for ruining your deals," Archimedes retorted while flapping his wings in glee. Remembering the interference of saving those people of paying the price of the magic made him feel empowered over the gatekeeper.

"Archimedes," Merlin warned in his clench teeth. He may love his old companion but sometimes it's frustrating dealing with him.

Hearing the warning in Merlin's voice. Archimedes knew it was time to get away from them. With a humph he flew off of Merlin's shoulder to fly over to the peach tree. Landing on the lowest branch. His yellow eyes looked over the group in front of him. His gaze mostly settled on the little one hugging Henry's neck. He cocked his head to study her. Her blue eyes shined of strong magic but something more. He couldn't place it. Hmm the need to watch over her should be most interesting. Turning his attention again as Rumpelstiltskin, Lumiere and Merlin came towards the group of children.

Immediately he saw that Prince Neal stood in front of Rumbella to protect her. Hmm young prince you can't stop this merge.. He was sure the boy saw the danger in his visions. Yes, he could feel the power of visionary in front of him. All in due time dear prince. All in due time.

However fate had another thing in store for him. Rumbella in her blue dress could feel the girl's power not too far from her. Like a connection that was once there was now returned to her. She could not see the face of the person her mother was holding but she was drawn to the power that radiant from the girl's form. Putting her hand on Neal's right arm to get his attention.

He turned to her with his guarded gaze. So protective he was she knew. Yet she had to know.

"It's okay," she murmured softly to him. Letting go of his arm. As she walked towards her father he pulled her back of the grip he gave on her arm. Looking at the hand on her arm. She pulled the fingers loose giving a short squeeze she let go without looking at him she swirled to meet the person of power.

As she approached the three men her gaze was on the two figures behind them. Merlin who was in her path moved aside to allow her to proceed further to her destination. He knew the pull was the reason for courage in her steps as she took them.

She stopped as she saw the girl stiffened in her mother's arms then letting go to face her.

When both Rumbella's faced each other with both amber eyes gazing at each other. Their telepathy reached out to each other.

"You are me are you not," said Rumbella in the blue dress.

"Yes from another time," she replied back to herself.

"Show me," she stated finally.

Rumbella in her buckskin clothes stepped forward with her hands to reach her other self. As both hands were gripped. Rumbella in the blue dress. Saw images of war of flying monkeys, death of family members, past Neal telling her to change the past, fighting Zelena in the final battle then her imprisonment. While the images were being seen she could feel the pain, sorrow and then finally hope.

While the other Rumbella was seeing the past of her life. The other was seeing the enjoyment of her family surrounding her of her sisters being born, playing with them, learning magic from her father. The most important thing she felt was love from everyone.

Neither heard the scuffle of the young prince being held down by Henry who had passed Ella to her startled father to tackle the boy. Henry knew if his Gramps was allowing this then he had to stop Neal. He heard boy cursing underneath him but his attention was still on the two girls glowing of a white bubble surrounding them looking at each other. Then the girls turned first looking at their mother and then turned at the same time to look at them.

They smiled as if in peace of what they have done. It was an eerie feeling Henry to see two of them together. The one in buckskin with a glance at Henry bowed her head as in thanks to him. His breath caught. He didn't need any acknowledgement of who he was seeing.

Rumbella in the buckskin clothes knew instantly she will cease to exist. Not knowing why but just knew. Turning her gaze to the other Rumbella once again.

"My memories and knowledge are my gift to you," she expressed in the other's mind with no regrets.

As the last words were said her body started glowing than stars of golden magic appeared around her making her body ceasing to exist. The stars entered into the Rumbella with the blue dress. With no sound the bubble disappeared and Rumbella fell onto the wet grass.

"What in the hell did I just see," Isa remarked loudly sounding like her mother.

"That is a good question little Isa," Merlin answered to her with a smile.

Letting Neal go. Henry stood up to face Merlin . Hearing the boy scrambled to go over to Rumbella who was being attended by her mother. With a thoughtful look. Looking over his shoulder then back to the old man. Pointing over his shoulder at the girl who was laying on the ground. "Is that a time merge?" he asked.

"Yes it is," he respond to his question leaning on his staff with a smile on his face of the complete merge. Henry could only nod with a grin coming onto his face. He can't wait to tease Rumbella of the stories long ago.

"Well what is a time merge?" Isa demanded standing there with her fists beside her body. Not liking to be out of the loop. She looked up at Henry for an explanation.

Looking at his little sister of how to best explain of what happened. Truthfully it has not been seen in a thousand years. How to best explain.

Hope who was a book reader of the family next to Rumbella. She was picking up the Dark Shadows book of where Rumbella left it next to the tree. She answered Isa question without thinking.

"She's a time traveler," as she explained when Charity, Isa and Henry turned to her voice. A small smile entered in her dimples as she continued, "Somewhere in the past she changed something and now came home with the knowledge and memories to pass on."

Hearing his daughter's remark. He turned with a strict gaze on her while holding Ella in his arms. Saying with a stern voice, "You have been reading the book without asking."

Her smile went into an embarrassed one then a guilty look at her father's gaze.

"We will talk about that later."

Hope shoulders went down in a slump hearing those words. Knowing she will get a punishment for reading the book without permission. Well at least I knew something that Isa didn't for once . She was always teasing me when I do magic.

Charity who was so like her father. Watching to analyze the situation before proceeding to do anything. Looking at the men around her then at her mother. They know. What did she change? Saying it out loud without realizing it. Her father face went blank to cover the pain she saw reflecting their moments ago before he walked away towards her older sister. Her gaze turned to Henry whose face went cold in his expression with his lips tightened. She knew that expression he was not going to tell her.

"Tch Tch Believer," Archimedes sounding annoyed above them as the foursome looked up at him. Seeing he had their attention.

"You should tell them since they need to know the sacrifice of what she did for the family," he retorted to the man.

"It is not something to tell children Archimedes," he warned the bird as he dropped down to the ground to retrieve his sword to place it back into his belt.

"Nether less it concerns them or do you want me to tell them," he argued back further stating, "They will find out sooner or later."

Merlin hearing the exchange agreed with Archimedes the girls needed to know. Not that he agreed about telling it to the children but as gatekeepers who defend the realms of how special Rumbella really was as the first time traveler. His glance went to the child who looked over her father's shoulder at him. His eyes dancing in merriment seeing the second time traveler whose attention was distracted by her father. A smile came onto her face as her father bounced her on his hip. That is another story to tell in the future.

Giving his attention back to the people in front of him. Clearing his voice to interrupt them.

"That is a story that only Rumbella will share," he stated finally pointing his staff at the bird, "You stay out of it."

With a wave of his hand, "Shall we join your sister little ones."

As the group walked towards the people surrounding the girl who was waking up from the ground. Watching them as they left. Archimedes thoughts centered now on the estate as he gazed on everything. Beautiful grove of fruit-growing near the maze and many flowers he saw in the distance. Yet in the horizon he saw woods. Ahh Dinner Time.. Taking a deep breath letting out a hoot.

He left the branch of the peach tree and the humans behind to fly freely in the new world of the gatekeepers. Yes, more memories will emerge and stories will be told but that's another time and day to speak about it.

The End..

At least for now..

Other shots of the story will appear in the future.

Thank you for following and now onto writing my 2nd story..

Keep an eye out for that one people..